MADISON, Wis.—“This show is totally impressive and gives me great respect for Chinese culture. I wish I knew more,” said Steve Holtzman about Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company appearing at the Overture Center for the Arts. Mr. Holtzman saw the performance on Thursday night, April 5.
Mr. Holtzman’s response is exactly what Shen Yun hopes to achieve, to bring the best of 5,000 years of Chinese culture wherever it tours, and to have audiences gain a new appreciation for this traditional culture.
Now retired, Mr. Holtzman, a Madison alderman and a salesman, worked for ELF Technologies. He also served on the Madison Common Council, and on the board of TAPIT/new works Ensemble Theater.
“It’s really remarkable that people can perform at such a level,” Mr. Holtzman said of the quality of the performance.
Especially intriguing to him was the company’s orchestra, comprised of both Western and Chinese instruments: “It was also interesting to see the way there’s a mix of classical [Western] instruments and the classical Chinese—there’s three classical Chinese instruments right in the center. They’re very prominently featured.
“It’s great to hear those instruments in a hall where I usually hear classical [Western] music—to hear them working with the other classical performers ... In fact, that’s one of the reasons I stayed on the side ... because I got a good set line right down to them.”
Although Mr. Holtzman is not a musician, his parents taught him to love music.
“Those three performers—there’s a flute player, and two-string instruments—they’re just fabulous performers. I’ve never seen those instruments played before.”
For Shen Yun itself, Mr. Holtzman expressed his gratitude, “Thanks for coming to Madison.”
Reporting by Valerie Avore and Sharon Kilarski.
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world, with a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will next perform in Calgary, Canada, April 8-9.
For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
